The Cavaliers and Grizzlies are both playing their second game in as many nights.
View full sizeCavaliers center Ryan Hollins tries to block a shot by Memphis' Mike Conley in the first half of Saturday's game at The Q.CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Notes and observations from the Cavs game against the Memphis Grizzlies Saturday night at The Q:
Third quarter update: Cavs 75, Grizzlies 67. Mo Williams scored 12 points to lead the charge, and the Cavs shot 60 percent (12 of 20.) But it was the Cavs defense that really turned the tied. They limited the Grizzlies to 35 percent shooting (7 of 20) and forced five turnovers as well. They also outrebounded the Grizzlies, 11-7. All in all, it was one of their best quarters of the season.
Second quarter update: Grizzlies 51, Cavs 45. After falling behind by 16 points, Cavs finally woke up in the second quarter, closing with a 16-6 run.
It would have been closer but for three turnovers during that stretch. J.J. Hickson, wearing bright yellow shoes that look like bananas or little taxi cabs, is trying to get himself going with five points and Joey Graham had six points in the second quarter.
Cavs finally decided to play some defense, too, as Memphis made just 9 of 22 shots, 40.9 percent. After making 6 of their first 8 shots, Grizzlies hit just 3 of their next 14.
First quarter update: Grizzlies 32, Cavs 22. There were wide swings in effectiveness in the first 12 minutes. They fell behind, 12-3, used a 15-5 run to take their first lead at 18-17, then gave up a 15-4 run to close out the quarter. Defense was worse than offense as Memphis shot 63.6 percent (14 of 22).
Cavs starters: F Joey Graham, F J.J. Hickson, C Anderson Varejao, G Anthony Parker, G Mo Williams.
Grizzlies starters: F Rudy Gay, F Zach Randolph, C Marc Gasol, G Xavier Henry, G Mike Conley.
Injuries: None for Cavs. Acie Law, flu-like symptoms, for Grizzlies.
Inactives: Christian Eyenga, Manny Harris, Samardo Samuels for Cavs. Law and Hamed Haddadi for Grizzlies.
Officials: Michael Smith, Mark Ayotte, Leroy Richardson
Three things to watch
1. With both teams on the second night of back-to-backs, who will have the most left?
2. Can J.J. Hickson snap out of the funk he has been in for the last week?
3. How will the officials react to Cavs coach Byron Scott after his criticism of the referees in Friday's game at Orlando?